The Carolina Panthers confirmed that linebacker Shaq Thompson will miss the remainder of the season after an MRI on Monday revealed that he suffered a torn Achilles. Per ESPN’s Ian Rapoport:“#Panthers standout LB Shaq Thompson, who was playing his best football, is believed to have torn his Achilles and is out for the season, sources say. Bad injury, bad timing. He was the center of their defense.”

Thompson, 30, sustained the injury during Week 4’s 34-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, on a non-contact play while dropping into pass coverage at the end of the third quarter. While he was able to walk off the field by himself, the 10-year veteran was eventually carted to the locker room.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said to reporters on Monday, via The Athletic: “Just sick for Shaq. A guy who cares so much and plays with so much passion. A vocal leader. Somebody’s who had my back through this process as I get my feet underneath me as a first-time head coach. And to have the support of veteran guys like this, that stand for the right things, people that I can talk to, people that I can ask to lead a charge for this thing or that thing that we’re looking to get more of. So a guy that stood for all those things—Panthers football all the way through and through.  And then, of course, he’s just a fantastic communicator and player. And so, again, just another blow for us. But another great opportunity for Trevin [Wallace], for guys to step up and to show what they have and how they can help Panthers football.”

Thompson was the Panthers’ first-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Washington, and is fourth on Carolina’s all-time list in that category with 741 tackles. After dealing with injuries last year and playing only two games after breaking his fibula in Week 2, Thompson was following-up his 2022 season (in which he compiled a career-high 135 tackles) by leading the Panthers with 35 tackles this season.

Editorial credit: vector logo / Shutterstock.com